CVE-2006-4439 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
pkgadd in Sun Solaris 10 before 20060825 installs files with insecure file and directory permissions (755 or 777) if the pkgmap file contains a "?" (question mark) in the mode field, which allows local users to modify arbitrary files or directories, a different vulnerability than CVE-2002-1871.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4439 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Solaris package management system that persisted through multiple versions of the operating system. This issue specifically affects the pkgadd utility in Sun Solaris 10 releases prior to the August 25, 2006 patch cycle, creating a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by local attackers to gain elevated privileges and modify system files. The vulnerability stems from an insecure handling of file permissions during package installation processes, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize permission specifications contained within package manifest files.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how the pkgadd utility processes the pkgmap file format, particularly when encountering question mark characters in the mode field of package manifests. When a package contains a "?" character in its mode specification, the system defaults to granting overly permissive permissions of 755 or 777 to installed files and directories. This behavior directly violates security principles and creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability operates at the filesystem permission level and is classified under CWE-276, which deals with incorrect permissions, specifically focusing on inadequate file permissions that allow unauthorized modification of system resources. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate package installation processes to create files with world-writable permissions, thereby compromising system integrity and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise capabilities. Local users who can influence package installation processes or have access to packages containing malicious pkgmap files can exploit this weakness to modify critical system directories and files. This creates a pathway for attackers to install backdoors, modify system binaries, or corrupt system configuration files. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation and permission handling, where the system fails to properly sanitize user-provided permission specifications. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of privilege escalation methods to gain elevated system access, and T1546, which covers the modification of system processes or services. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate system utilities rather than requiring sophisticated exploitation techniques, making it more accessible to attackers with basic system knowledge.
The security implications of CVE-2006-4439 extend to the fundamental integrity of Solaris systems that were vulnerable to this flaw. Organizations running affected versions of Solaris 10 faced potential compromise of their entire system infrastructure, as attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within their environments. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple system versions without proper patching created extended attack windows, particularly in enterprise environments where patch deployment cycles might be lengthy or complex. System administrators needed to implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching affected systems, monitoring package installation activities, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of proper permission management in package management systems and demonstrated how seemingly minor flaws in permission handling can create significant security risks. This flaw represents a critical failure in the principle of least privilege, where system utilities should never grant excessive permissions without proper validation and sanitization of user inputs. The vulnerability's resolution required the implementation of proper input validation mechanisms within the pkgadd utility to ensure that permission specifications in pkgmap files were properly sanitized before being applied to system files and directories.